If you shove somebody to create imbalance, it is really all the finesse you need. LOL
In my mind a using a shove in order punch someone who is now off balance, is a lot more effort and less finese than sidesteping and counter punching when someone has overextended in their punch.
Using finese reduces your "Right moment" opportunities to catch someone off balance especially if they are fighting you in a controlled and methodical manner.
Tactical shoving and pulling both destroy structure for the purpose creating those "Right Moments". But pulling with boxing gloves on is very hard.
The closest thing I ever could "pull" off in a boxing ring was pining a guy's hand really hard between my rib and bicep/elbow while twisting my trunk and either stepping forward or back.
I immediately let go because at that point, as I am relaxing into a face punch on an off balance opponent.
Knockdowns are 24/26 attempts. But ropes/corner saved two guys from kd.
I have managed to do it on an infrequent basis but it probably the single hardest thing I have actively done. And sometimes I eat a body blow to pull it off.
Pushing against body, or pushing guard out of the way to combo attacks is a recipe for creating " right moments"
Big George was criminal in the amount of two handed shoving he got away with.